Looking in the rearview mirror and saying thank you.

It's been a little more than 6 months now since I started this blog and I've recently had the occasion of stoping to take a look back on what had happened.

This little thinking was initiated by Sean on his blog. He organised a lottery for his followers to celebrate his 2nd year of blogging and I got  the chance to win a copy of the rulebook "and for a bottle of rum"

I'm a recent follower of his blog but I've always appreciated the mature and interesting view in his articles and the fact the subject are treated in order to lead to true discussion. Now wonder how he made it 2 years after and I'm confident for the future of his blog.

More than the quality of the blog, there's something that puzzles me which is how on earth would someone take time and money just to offer a gift to someone reading his tsuff on the net?

Well, my belief is that because it's what a real community is. Sean is a very good exemple of the type of bloggers who take the time to answer comments and welcome new followers, who also takes the time to advertise for their blog if they happen to have one and to dig a bit to know them.

 A lot of blogs have bloomed in the past year and a lot have found their particular way to develop a understanding of our hobby.

From Fuljason's blog

A few months back, I hardly had a couple views per day on this blog, but a sparkle in the form of a post on Orlygg's excellent realmofchaos80s gave me more views in a day than I had on 3 months! I'll be frank about this, I'm not after numbers of views or followers here, but being given the opportunity to show my vision and way through the hobby and getting feedback from more people was a true blessing. Once again, there's no secret behind Orlygg's blog success. Like others he takes time to advertise, to share and to offer to the community the archives and interviews that are most valuable to us. Another example being the oldhammer community gathering organised to share with the more people possible. This community deserves a post on it sown but let's say there are lots of people like Zhu, Thantsants, Orlygg, Harry (and so many more) who contribute to making this very lonely or competitive activity that is collecting and painting miniatures, a very friendly and enojyable experience.

Because all of this is just gaming and fun at the beginning, we've sometimes forgot in the way, what matters the most. I bet most of you will have undergone a hyatus in the hobby and spent more time with beer and representatives of the other gender than with your leadfriends. Lots of us have lost time, energy and money to a desperate run after very single new release or competitivity. And a lot of us have blamed others than ourselves for this loss of fun.

But now we're back, we still have that desire for fantasy and dream, some incredible stories to quench our imagination and to have good time. We still have that desire and we're grown-ups (at least I feel closer to an adult than when I started some 22 years ago). I found Warlord Paul's mission statement to be the exact summary of what is the core of this community with the oldhammer contract and Gaj's.

I believe that it's when we play, live in fantasy worlds and build new world from imagination alone with the will to share that magic with others that this hobby become a bit more and gets so enjoyable.

From Don Hans' blog

I've written a lot today and will shortly be sending photos of miniatures or terrain, modelling things or anything you would expect from this page but I had to let everyone of you know how greatful I am to those who've helped by advertising , reading and commenting not only this one but all the blogs and bloggers who try to build something.

From Private W's blog

At last, I also would like to thank all the people who add little gifts in their trades or ebay sales (you won't find this sort of thing in "buy it now"'s) or  give you the link to a sale that might interest you because they remember what you're after.

I would also like you to read as much as you can from the people on the right column, people like Goblin Lee whos is painting armies in such an enjoyable manner and with such speed it makes anyone cry with awe and jealousy,  Dave King who lots of you know for his very inspirational blog and very useful tips, Nico whos is a true inspiration on both painting, collecting and gaming, Private W whose blog is refreshing like no other with his battle reports and sense of humour, Dale Milward, who allies great collection and painting ability, Fuljason for both collection, painting and nice contributions on blogs or forums, Don Hans who has the ability of painting perfectly retro/oldschhol miniatures with his very personnal touch and finally Mattias Darrow. who should be read by so many more since he's trying to develop every way in his hobby, always pushing his confort zone further.

I've forgotten so many more and hope you'll excuse me, let yourself explore what everyone has to offer and click on links yous don't when you see some, it's always good to have a fresh point of voew to grow in this hobby (or any other subject).

Cheers everyone.